Iranian Elections

The Islamic Republic of Iran today hosts elections to the Majlis (parliament), the legislative branch of the country, as well as the Assembly of Experts, which selects the Supreme Leader of Iran. Iran's political structure is very different from European countries; the power struggle is not between right, left and centrists, but between conservatives and liberals-reformists.

Electoral System Specificity

All candidates for parliament must pass the approval of a special commission. On the other hand, local liberals can control such institutions and deliberately block any attempts of the Conservatives to put forward their nominations. At the same time, usually, the motivation may be quite "conservative", for example, that the candidate is not sufficiently faithful to Islam.

The aim of the reformist movement is ensure minimal presence of the conservative forces in the Assembly and Parliament.

But conservatives can veto attempts of some liberals to infiltrate the highest echelons of power.

Hassan Khomeini, the grandson of the leader of the Islamic Revolution in 1979, supported by the reformists, was not allowed to participate in the election of the members of the Assembly of Experts.

The Assembly of Experts is responsible for the appointment of the Supreme Leader, who now is 77-year-old Ayatollah Khamenei. The appointment of his successor has not been arranged yet, but the question itself is being discussed in the political circles of Iran.

Political Campaign

Earlier, Iran's supreme leader called on all citizens to take responsibility for the election process and to “vote for religious, conscious, wise, patriotic and open thinking” candidates, “not for the weak and those who humbly follow the enemies of Iran.” Khamenei himself voted today at 8 am, an example to other citizens. In general, all the media called for citizens eligible to vote, regardless of ethnic or religious affiliation, to participate in the elections.

Reformists tried to take credit for the progress in the negotiations on the Iranian nuclear issue, which led to a partial lifting of Western sanctions. They also laid emphasis on economic policy because, in their view, liberalization can improve the welfare of the Iranian people.

The West’s Expectations

The United States’ Media actively supports the reformist wing, while criticizing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, as well as the most influential religious leaders of Iran. Young people have more attention, as well as new tools of influence on the Internet and opportunities to travel abroad. In general, reformists attributed to the support of the majority, who are afraid of reprisals from the Conservatives in government, called Western media as “hard-liners”.

The ultimate goal of the West

It is likely that after the elections, regardless of their results, the pressure on the Iranian leadership from the West will be strengthened through the persistence of a number of measures of US sanctions, as well as the response of Iranian sanctions. In addition, the United States is afraid of strengthening the geopolitical importance of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the region (which is currently happening), and cooperation with countries such as Russia and China.

The ultimate goal is the dismantling of the political system of Iran, including the elimination of the Ayatollah institution and role of the Supreme Leader. In addition, Washington promotes ethnic separatism in Iran and the reduction of the religious factor, which is a serious obstacle to the liberalization of the country.